Presenter Kate Thornton has sent a heartfelt message to grieving Zoe Ball as she covers her Radio 2 show after the death of her boyfriend Billy Yates.

Kate also extended her condolences on behalf of the show to Billy's family and send her friend Zoe a "biggest hugs."

Devastated Zoe is said to be in shock after Billy Yates suddenly died on Friday, in a suspected suicide. Today, Kate said: "Sadly our lovely Zoe Ball can't be here today.

"Our thoughts are with Billy's family during this difficult time. Sending the biggest of hugs to Zo."

Her spokesman said: “Zoe is devastated."

(Image: Flynet)

Kate Thornton is taking over Zoe's show this afternoon (Image: Getty)

Police and paramedics found the body of TV cameraman Billy, 40, at his flat after a suspected suicide. It was claimed he had suffered from depression in the past.

Radio star Zoe tweeted a photo of a flower and wrote “My sweet love” in tribute to her boyfriend, who had worked on Antiques Roadshow and The Xtra Factor.

A close friend of the 46-year-old mum-of-two, who split from DJ husband Norman Cook in September, added: “Zoe is overcome with grief. She is completely and utterly ­devastated. Billy had made her happy again after the most horrendous year when her marriage broke down.”

Flat in Putney where Billy was found dead (Image: Philip Coburn/Daily Mirror)

Zoe Ball with ex Norman Cook (Image: PA)

A source close added: “It’s been a total shock that seemed to come out of nowhere.

“Zoe is devastated, and is trying to get her head around it, but she’s very delicate.

“She’s had a terrible year, and it seemed she had finally got her head straight and ­everything was going well, she was in a really good place.

"Now, the unimaginable has happened. This is going to be very hard for her to deal with. She has a close-knit circle of friends rallying around her, offering their support.

“Her mum Julia rushed to her side to be with her. There has been an outpouring of love from those closest to her.”

Dad David, 72, answered the door at his home in Darwen, Lancs, yesterday, but declined to comment saying only: “We’re just devastated, thank you.”

Zoe, who reportedly split from Cook – aka Fatboy Slim – amid escalating rows between the couple over her nights out, had been due to present her Radio 2 show today but has been replaced by Kate Thornton because she was too upset to go on air.

Zoe and Billy during house earlier move this year (Image: FameFlynet)

Zoe tweeted picture of single bloom

Billy was found at his flat in Putney, South West London, on Thursday night after a ­devastated friend alerted police. Officers said the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Sources claimed he had suffered mental health issues. Zoe, who started dating him four months ago, had recently followed the twitter accounts of ­Depression Awareness and Anxiety UK.

And after his death she retweeted a message from the ­Samaritans which said: “If it really doesn’t feel like the force is with you today, we’re here and ready to listen. TalkToUs.”

Billy was last seen out around lunchtime on Thursday going to a local shop before heading back to his second floor flat, where he is thought to have spent the day alone. Neighbours told of their shock at his death but insisted he had not been showing any signs of depression lately.

One said: “He popped into the shop downstairs and bought a fizzy drink at around midday. We chatted and laughed a bit. He seemed like his normal cheerful and happy self. When I first heard he was dead my heart was broken. There was no ­indication he was depressed at all. He was always cheerful and playing his music. It’s just very, very sad.”

Billy’s landlord and friend Atul Patel said of his suspected suicide: “I can never imagine someone like him doing this. “He was a very happy, down to earth guy.

Zoe Ball's retweet of the Samaritans

Billy's tweet

“When I would go around we would sit in his flat and have a couple of wines. There was absolutely nothing that could ­indicate something like this. I arrived at the flat at about 6.45pm and saw police going upstairs.

"I found out later what had happened. It seems totally out of character.

"I hadn’t seen him in the past three or four months so unless some­thing’s happened in that time to change him. It’s so sad and he really will be missed.”

On Monday night, Zoe had spoken about feeling happy with her life and had vowed to romp a lot as she approached the age of menopause.

She told her radio listeners: “I’m ­menopausal. I’m hot and hairy. It is like my last hurrah. Is it going to get better? Do I do HRT or do I have the funny tea? This is the quandary. Have more sex? I have just left my marriage. OK, that is a good tip. HRT and more sex. I will take that”

Zoe once said she is “starting to embrace the older age thing”. She added: “You just stop caring about stuff so much which is nice. I have had a bit of a year. I’ve had a bit of a year of self-discovery.”

A Met Police spokesman confirmed Billy’s death yesterday morning.

He added: “Officers attended an address alongside London Ambulance Service staff, and a man believed to be aged 40 was pronounced dead. The coroner has been informed.”

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org .